and Montgomerie, though Sweden’s Carl Pettersson, who had a four-under-par 67 yesterday in Boston, might also be in the running.

What Faldo makes of it all is uncertain, but one thing for sure is that he will want back-biting like this kept well clear of the team room in Kentucky next month.

Poulter and Montgomerie have a history of acrimony. In the Seve Trophy at The Wynyard four years ago, the Scot, who was captaining the GB&I side, was annoyed at Poulter practising after his match had finished instead of going back out on the course to support his team-mates.

Then at the Grove this year in the European Open, Montgomerie was not amused by playing partner Poulter’s choice of trousers. “I don’t often chase men in pink,” was his caustic comment.

Montgomerie himself had been under fire for missing the last two tournaments, but he said his performance yesterday justified his decision to skip the KLM Open in Holland to practise. “There were some technical issues that were wrong and I’ve sorted them out,” he said.

While he was at pains to point out that it was up to Faldo, Montgomerie’s assessment was that he had to finish in the top 10 tomorrow to demonstrate that he had recovered his form.

“Nick Faldo knows exactly what I can bring to the Ryder Cup on and off the course. I don’t need to speak about that any more than I have,” he said.

Meanwhile, there are three places to be decided as of right. Already in the team are Padraig Harrington, Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood, Henrik Stenson, Robert Karlsson, Miguel Angel Jimenez and Graeme McDowell.

The three in line for the next places, Justin Rose, Soren Hansen and Oliver Wilson, all survived the cut yesterday, Wilson right on the mark, and they are being chased by Ross Fisher and Nick Dougherty. Germany’s Martin Kaymer, the only other player who could have forced his way in, missed the cut and cannot now make the top 10.

Wilson, in the hot seat of 10th place, was six over par with 10 holes to play and looked down and out, but an eagle 3 at the 12th and a birdie 4 at the 16th brought him over the line with a 72 for 148. “I gave myself a little talking to and tried to stay patient and not try to force it too much,” he said.

Fisher, his main threat, slipped back with a 74 for 146. He needs a top three finish to have a chance while Dougherty, who had a 72 for 145, needs to be first or second. Hansen, after a second 71, and Rose, with a 71 for 144, look fairly secure but no-one is taking anything for granted. and Montgomerie, though Sweden’s Carl Pettersson, who had a four-under-par 67 yesterday in Boston, might also be in the running.

What Faldo makes of it all is uncertain, but one thing for sure is that he will want back-biting like this kept well clear of the team room in Kentucky next month.

Then at the Grove this year in the European Open, Montgomerie was not amused by playing partner Poulter’s choice of trousers. “I don’t often chase men in pink,” was his caustic comment.

While he was at pains to point out that it was up to Faldo, Montgomerie’s assessment was that he had to finish in the top 10 tomorrow to demonstrate that he had recovered his form.

“Nick Faldo knows exactly what I can bring to the Ryder Cup on and off the course. I don’t need to speak about that any more than I have,” he said.